A ROMCOM NOVELET || Can a girl fall in love at a Romance Writers Convention with a dreamboat hunk who is determined to steal her heart?
Annie attends the glamorous convention to promote her new romance novel. But the first man she meets is not only...
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PHOTO - Annie and Van posing for the cover of Annie's book
Dinner in Chinatown with Van and Annie ...
Still hoping Van would go away and leave her alone, Annie checked the oncoming traffic then crossed Sutter Street at the light.
But Van followed right alongside her. "I'm sorry, Annie," he said. "I've really hurt you, haven't I?"
His words made her cringe. She didn't want to look at him. He was way too attractive tonight in his pirate get-up, and she didn't want to deal with the problem that caused. It was much too frustrating. But he'd given her the opportunity to tell him off one more time. So she stared straight ahead and did just that.. "Yes! I feel humiliated by the way you tricked me, and cheated too. You robbed me of a friend. Vanessa. I really wanted to meet her. But instead I learned she doesn't even exist."
His voice was like silk smoothing softly over her. "Oh, I think she does, Annie. Somewhere deep inside me."
She forced herself to look at him. She had to learn to resist his magnetic charm and stop being so afraid. "You're telling me there's a woman inside you?"
"Not exactly a woman. But a sweet and sensitive romantic guy."
"Ha!" she couldn't help laughing. "You are a big macho brute!"
Van regarded her with an amused gaze. "Aw, come on. You'd find I'm not anything like that if you'd just let yourself get to know me. You'd really like me if you gave it a chance."
Her cheeks colored under the heat of his gaze and she tore her eyes away again, hating her vulnerability to him. She knew he was right. Of course she would like him if she gave it a chance. She already liked him, even if it was much easier for her to keep on hating him.
They walked under the Dragon Gate into Chinatown. The sidewalk, filled with tourists and native San Franciscans, was lined with the colorful exteriors of restaurants, clubs, and shops selling every imaginable commodity from far away China. Annie was amused by the looks she and Van were getting from the others around them. It brought a much-needed smile to her lips.
"You'd think they never saw pirates before," she jested.
Van chuckled. "These streets are filled with characters day and night, but I guess we're dressed a little unusual even for Chinatown."
Annie forced herself to make an attempt at pleasant conversation. "Do you come here to San Francisco often?"
"Occasionally. It's like a get-away place for me. I spent quite a bit of time here a few years ago researching the 1849 Gold Rush for Passion's Flaring Flame."
"Oh, I loved that book," Annie declared, warming up to him in spite of herself. "Especially Donetta, the heroine. I really identified with her."
"Of course you did. She was you. The only difference between the two of you is that Donetta had green eyes. Otherwise, you and she are the same woman. And I created her before I even knew you. Donetta is by far the perfect example of the woman I've been waiting for. Can't you understand why I'm so happy to have found you?"
